Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

We presented Kathy Martin with a thank you gift for all of her hard work in promoting artist bears whilst editor of Teddy Bear Scene:

A few general pictures:

People voting in the challenge:

Don't forget - if you missed out this year, we are doing it all over again on 7th June 2009!!!!!

I have finally got round to adding some pictures of the event on Sunday onto the event website.  I share a few here, but there are lots more on the website for those who are interested: www.teddybearartistevent.co.uk

This is what the venue looked like when I arrived.......

......and about 5 hours later it looked like this:

Putting out the banner (it was already really hot outside at this time, and it was only 7:00am!!)

A small display I did about 'What is an Artist Bear?'

My stall.

The raffle table - there were some fabulous prizes!!!

The challenge - Spring

The challenge - Autumn

The challenge - Summer

The challenge - Winter

There are more pictures of the challenge entries on the event website.

More pics in next post.....

Jane - what fantastic photos!!  Thank you so much for taking the time to go around and take pictures on the day, and also taking the time to share them here - you are a star!!!

I just had to drop in to TT to say thank you so much for all your kind words.  I am absolutely exhausted - but happy!!  I feel everything went really well, and I had such wonderful feedback from both artists and collectors.  It just makes all the hard work worthwhile when you receive such wonderful comments.  Thank you to everyone who has also sent me an email.  I will answer them all tomorrow as I am having today off to celebrate my birthday!!  I have an amazing Gregory Gyllenship bear for my birthday which my husband, parents and brother all bought for me.
I've got lots of pictures which I'll also share as soon as i get round to it.  My brother was filming all day, and he'll be producing a short video over the next week or two which I will add to the website when its ready.
Well done to everyone who won a medal and a massive well done to everyone who entered the challenge!!  The entries were simply amazing!!!
I've only done a quick bit of adding up, but it looks like we should have over £1000 to give to the British Heart Foundation!! 
I'm not sure what else to say - I'm still too tired to think straight!!  Thank you so much for everyone's enthusiasm.  You all really did prove that the artist bear world is definitely alive and thriving!!!
Roll on 2009....(but not too quickly!!! )

awww..thank you so much ladies!! :hug:

I managed to get one more made this afternoon:

awwwwwww. :redface:  :redface:  :redface:  :redface:  :redface:  :redface:
Thanks so much!!  Feeling a bit embarrassed now (particularly the pic of me - eek!!)
Thanks so much Jane!!! :hug:

Awwwww....I LOVE your rabbits!!!  They are so gorgeous!!!!! See you there!!!

Ok, so I have finally got around to photographing my bears for the event.  I've finished 27, but if I get all the 'organiser stuff' finished in time, I may be able to make another one.
Here are just a few of them!!

These two are just stunning!!  I think you will have a sell out show!!!!

They are all fantastic!!  I can't wait to see them all together on a stall.  I've not seen your bears in the fur before!!! See you on Sunday!!

I am in love with the first bear!!  They are all gorgeous, but he is simply stunning!!  See you very soon!!!!

he he he he he - your little bears make me smile!!  They are adorable.  Can't wait to see them in the fur (in 5 days time - eek)!!

Wow - that mohair looks amazing!!  Shamus is stunning - I particularly like all the colour 'accents' which brighten him up.  Lovely!!

Yep - I'm in that frame of mind now!!  I can only do 6 days worth of stuff now before the event, so what will be, will be!!!  Doesn't stop my stomach churning every time I remember it is less than a week though!!  I haven't even thought of my own stall yet - I am just praying everything runs smoothly on the day!!!  Argh!!!

I've never accepted credit cards.  Most collectors bring cash or a cheque book.  Previously I have had collectors go out to find a cash machine because they really wanted a bear but didn't have the cash on them.  There are plenty of cash machines in Stratford, so if someone really wants something, they can go and find some cash!!
I don't think I've ever really lost a sale by not accepting credit cards - so don't panic!!!

wow!!!  I love him!! and your etsy shop looks great - I just love those necklaces with the pewter bear heads - they are so original.  See you in less than two weeks!!

awww....they are both gorgeous Paula!!!  I think I like Peanut best - he looks like a little bear cub!!  Such a cute face!!  See you in 2 and a half weeks!!!!

They are super!!!  So adorable.  I look forward to seeing them 'in the fur'!!

Yep - I have to admit this is a good way to describe how I'm feeling!!!  I have a long list of things still to do, and I need to sort my own bears and stall!!  So why am I sat here on TT I ask myself!!! oops - must get back to work.

hmmm...really interesting thread.  This is an issue really close to my heart at the moment, as I now have less than three weeks to get as many people to the event I am organising as possible.
I can't really add much more than what has been said.  I have linked the TBAE with a charity, and I think people are often more willing to give you free publicity if you do this.  I went to the town where the event is being held yesterday and left some leaflets in the tourist information.  You should have seen their face when they read the leaflets - you could just see the question marks appear in their eyes at the words 'teddy bear artist'.  I got the same response when I took some into the local British Heart Foundation shop (this is the charity the event is supporting).  Unfortunately this is the response most members of the public would give, and I'm not sure if this will ever change.  I know my brother-in-law is still wondering when I am going to open my toy-making factory - to him that is what teddy bears are - mass produced toys!!
I've really concentrated on the 'target population' for this years event, handing out leaflets at other shows, advertising in specialist magazines, sending out leaflets to known collectors and bear shops.  If there are not enough people through the door this year, I will certainly have to look at extending where I advertise for 2009.
I'm definitely interested in any more ideas!!

awww....thanks everyone!!!!  I will be getting some of my family to take lots of pictures too, and I have my brother, who is a film production student, coming to do a bit of filming to go on the website, so there should be lots to see for those of you who can't make it.
For those hoping to come in 2009 - the venue is booked for Sunday 7th June 2009, and I have just ordered the 2009 leaflets and posters, which seems very strange as the 2008 event hasn't even happened yet!!
Also - those of you who cannot make it - you can still bid in the charity auction.  There are two fabulous bears, made by TT's very own Christine Pike and Louise Peers.  Every penny of the winning bids will be given to the British Heart Foundation.  International bidders are more than welcome!!!!  See the website for more details:  www.teddybearartistevent.co.uk
Unfortunately I can't sell raffle tickets to anyone who can't come on the day, due to licensing laws.  I would have to get some sort of gambling license to allow me to sell tickets beforehand!!!  There are some fabulous raffle prizes!!

Anyway, must get on!!  Its taken me all morning to catch up on emails after a busy weekend doing other things!!

Well, 18 months ago there was a discussion on TT about what people would like to see in the 'bear fair' world. I took on the challenge, and there are now only 3 weeks to go until the event!!!    To say I am nervous is putting it mildly!!!  I can't believe that in exactly 3 weeks time the doors will have just opened!!  I still have a long list of things to do, as well as sorting out my own stall and bears.
Anyway, a few nights ago I had an awful dream about the event, where no one showed up!!!  I think this is the only thing that is actually making me nervous!!  It is impossible to predict who will come/how many will come/will they spend anything, etc. 
There are lots of lovely artists on TT who are coming with their wonderful bears.  I wondered if anyone else on TT was hoping to come, so that we can look out for you and say hi, and also stop me worrying that no one is going to show up!!!
Its great seeing all the preview bears - keep them coming!!   
See you in three weeks - eek!!!!

www.teddybearartistevent.co.uk

She's beautiful Paula!!  Can't wait to see her for real!!

Wow Kim!!!  I've just looked at the preview on your website, and you have been working so hard!!!  They are all so gorgeous!!  I can't wait to see them in the fur!!!

yay!!! Lets hope baby stays put until after the event!!!  Can't wait to meet you Kim!!!

I also save up bears for months before a show.  I have been particularly strict with myself about this for the show in June, as I am organising it!!!  I currently have bear number 20 just being finished ready for the show.  However, I'm not usually quite this prepared, but I know it could get manic in the next few weeks and I may not get any bears done at all!!
hmmmm.....must get off the internet now and go and do more work!!!!  I have a list of things to get done for the show before the end of the day!!!